Just Write Communications
  • Home
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Clients
  • Testimonials
  • Writing Tips
  • Weekly Chuckle
  • Meals We Steal
  • Bad Golf

Keep Your Own Barometer

10/19/2014

0 Comments

 
Lou Holtz, former head football coach for a number of major U.S. universities, including Notre Dame, recently handed out a nugget on the TV golf show “Feherty.”  He had been playing golf, he explained on the show, and messing up.  He started cursing.

Not recognizing the futility of his maneuver, Holtz let his anger affect his game, like so many of us who play that frustrating sport.  At some point, his playing partner said, “Lou, you’re not good enough to get angry.”  That stopped him, and as he described on the show, he no longer cusses on the course.

His buddy calling him out about his talent level strikes me as a catalyst for recognizing one’s weaknesses, and helping to put life in perspective.  His big point was, “You aren’t as good as you think you are.”

Holtz, recognizing the truth in his playing partner’s statement, actually adapted as he continued to golf.  Not using four-letter words and eliminating red-faced tirades have likely improved his score and happiness level when he does screw up.  But the first step was figuring out his measuring stick – in some way he was setting a comparative standard for himself that was unrealistic. 

There are many ways we hold ourselves up to standards.  I doubt most of us recognize we do this.  Like Holtz, we grow frustrated, expect things, and wonder why circumstances don’t turn out the way we imagine them beforehand.  The difference between our fantasies and reality comes down to the barometer of expectations you deploy.

A friend of mine tells a story about a coworker arguing against their group making worthy broadcast or print visuals because they don’t have the talent to make them at an expert level.  Many would call this heresy.

But the counter perspective says if you aren’t that good, focus on what you do well.  In this case, that meant finding good content for the story rather than trying to make the visuals the best on the planet.

During this meeting, my friend explained, a coworker illustrated this point by singing into a recorder and playing it back to show how terrible he was at carrying a tune.  No matter how many singing lessons he took, it would not improve enough to secure him a recording contract, particularly compared to someone who has a strong natural ability to sing.  Play to your strengths and avoid your weaknesses – great advice for golf and life.

It’s best not to compare yourself to anyone.  When you examine the phrase, “You’re not good enough to get angry about that,” what other parts of your life does it apply to?

“You’re not smart enough to be CEO.”

“You’re not driven enough to be rich.”

“You’re not talented enough to make a movie.”

“You don’t have the experience, financing and political acumen to become a U.S. Senator.”

The examples abound.  Each of us has a special area that we might believe is our dream.  That’s good, but it must be balanced against the reality of ability. 

Most of us compare ourselves to others.  This defines us, and often leads to our feelings of “success” or “insignificance.”  If you never do this, then don’t read the conclusion of this piece.  But if you ever have that slight itch to look at others and their accomplishments in comparison to your own, then read on.

Find your niche and keep your own barometer.  Determine your expertise, what you care about, and look inside yourself for comparisons.  Keeping it internal keeps your temperature down.  And remember, “You may not be that good to get angry.”

0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Archives

    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013

    Categories

    All

Proudly powered by Weebly